Latest news with #Hoskin
Otago Daily Times
31-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Duo seeking space for natural burials
Two Wānaka women are continuing their efforts to bring more sustainability to burials, using methods such as removing the casket and wrapping a loved one's body. The common method of embalming for burial can often have a negative impact on the environment, including leached chemicals into the ground. Liz Maluschnig and Su Hoskin opened the Death Cafe in Wānaka to help give people the opportunity to talk and reach out for support when they are grieving. They then took this a step further and encouraged individuals to think about when the time came, would they be leaving the world in an environmentally friendly way. Two years ago, they formed the group Wānaka Natural Burials to try to work with the Queenstown Lakes District Council on setting up a natural burial ground in Wānaka. A natural burial ground would include bodies being in non-toxic containers and having shallow graves, to encourage a more natural decomposition process. The group no longer exists but the women continue to work with the council as they look to have a space for natural burials. Parks officer Tarsy Koentges said if a natural burial area were to be created, it would be at the Hawea Cemetery, as the council had recently completed a site suitability report for the location. Both Ms Maluschnig and Ms Hoskin saw embalming — and certain methods of preserving a deceased body — as being harmful to the environment. Embalming involves the use of chemicals to delay the decomposition of a body and research shows these chemicals can leach into the soil and result in ecological harm. Ms Hoskin said our bodies continued to have nutrients after we died, which could be given back to the earth through alternative methods such as burial shrouds — where the body was wrapped in biodegradable material. "Just being connected with the earth and understanding that the earth takes care of us and we need to return that at the end of our lives." The pair are looking at ways to lower the cost of funerals and to speak more openly about death and the grief that comes with it. One of the first steps to putting this vision in motion is a Death Without Debt workshop in Wānaka early next month. The workshops are held nationwide by the Death Without Debt organisation and they are a wealth of knowledge on how to reduce the cost of funerals. The workshop will cover end-of-life planning, ecological methods of burial, community initiatives and reducing funeral costs. "I think the response is actually quite positive because there's such an outcry at the moment about the high cost of funerals," Ms Maluschnig said. In a simpler, more traditional time, funerals were a family effort, making them less of a financial burden and more fulfilling to the grieving process. Years ago, the deceased's family would help with the cleaning of the body, building the coffin and preparing the meals. Standard practice now is hiring a funeral director to take on all of the duties. "I think bringing people back to what we traditionally did is quite empowering," she said. "There was a much more community-driven way of doing death and it was so much more healing." Ms Maluschnig recalled her own mother-in-law's funeral not long ago, where her husband had built the coffin and she had helped prepare the room for the service. The overall purpose of the initiatives and workshops that Ms Hoskin and Ms Maluschnig are putting in motion is to normalise conversations around death and, by doing so, remove the fear associated with it.
NZ Herald
20-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Medals galore for Gisborne paddlers at Asia Pacific Sprint Cup
The sprint racing in Japan featured distances of 1000m, 500m and 200m in the K1, K2 and K4. The Kiwi team finished third behind a strong Australia team, with a large host team second. Kennedy backed up her gold-medal win at last year's Asia Pacific Cup in the U16 women's division with the same success in the U18 division. She completed a clean sweep of victories in the K1, K2 and K4 events. Newman, representing her country for the first time, had gold-medal success in the U16 women's K2 and K4, and won silvers in the K1. Webb, representing New Zealand for the third year in a row at the event, proved a valuable member in the U18 women's K4. McKendry, also representing New Zealand for the third year running, did well in the mixed relays, raced the 1000m in a competitive U18 men's division and stepped up to the U21 division to help the Kiwi men win bronze in the K4. Kennedy, brother Maxwell and Webb are back training and fundraising for the 2025 ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships in Montemor-o-Velho, Portugal, in late July. Gisborne medal success at Asia Pacific Sprint Cup Taylor Newman – Under-16 women: Silver in K1 500m; silver in K1 200m; gold in K2 500m, gold in K4 500m; silver in mixed K2 200m; gold in mixed 200m relay. Jacqueline Kennedy – U18 women: Gold in K1 500m; gold in K1 200m; gold in K2 500m; gold in K4 500m; gold in 200m mixed relay; also silver in U21 mixed K2 200m and mega relay (6 paddlers). Hannah Webb – U18 women: Gold in K4 500m. Matt McKendry - U18 men: Gold in mixed relay; also bronze in U21 men's K4 500m. Hoskin out of the medals at World Cup Double Olympic champion paddler Alicia Hoskin and her K4 crew missed out on a medal at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup regatta in Szeged, Hungary, over the weekend. New Zealand went into the cup without Dame Lisa Carrington, who is taking a year-long break from the sport. The K4 crew of Olivia Brett, Hoskin, Tara Vaughan and Lucy Matehaere were fifth in the K4 500m final, 1.5s behind the winning crew from Spain. The Kiwis had earlier finished second in their heat and semifinal. Hoskin and Vaughan were fourth in their K2 500 semifinal, missing out on the A final and not starting in the B final. Poverty Bay Kayak Club's Quaid Thompson placed third in the C final of the K1 men's 1000m. He was fourth in his heat and eighth in his semifinal. Thompson was also 11th in the K1 5000m in 22m 46.05s. A Norwegian paddler won in 21.28.46. Aimee Fisher won gold in the K1 women's 1000m final – the New Zealand team's only medal of the event, which was dominated by the host nation. Fisher was fourth in the K1 500m final.
NZ Herald
15-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Roaming dog attacks prevent blind, low-vision clients from receiving guide dogs
'We had another client severely attacked to the point where they ended up being quite septic and having to go to the hospital. 'Subsequently, they lost their guide dog in the process. 'We have had dogs jump out of cars, chase after one of our trainers, and dogs jump over the fence in properties.' Hoskin said this was becoming a weekly issue affecting the lives and independence of clients. 'The reason people choose guide dog mobility is to have that independence out in the community, so they're not relying on a support person or family members. 'They can go out with their best mate and start navigating through the community safely. 'It means they are not allowed to have the level of independence they deserve.' According to Auckland Council Animal Management figures, dog attacks have risen steadily during the past five years. In 2024, there were 2996 dog attacks, compared with 1713 in 2020. There have been 716 dog attacks as of March this year. According to Auckland Council, there are approximately 16,000 unregistered dogs in the region. Auckland Council Proactive Animal Management team lead Aaron Neary told the Herald that the team patrolled high-risk areas, including around schools, and investigated any complaints from the public about roaming dogs. 'We also offer dog owner education sessions to promote responsible dog ownership, and desexing programmes are available to encourage dog owners to desex their dogs as desexed dogs are less likely to roam,' he said. 'If members of the public see a roaming dog, they can call Auckland Council on 09 3010101 and report it via our website. 'It is helpful to note the location and take a photo of the dog to upload on the website when reporting the roaming dog.' Hoskin wants the Government to support councils in better resourcing animal management and greater education on dog ownership. 'Register their dogs, desex their dogs and, most importantly, provide an environment which is secure for those dogs so they can't get out,' he said. 'Those three things will give us the confidence that we can place dogs with our clients in the community without fear of them going to be attacked.' Andrew Hoggard, Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare), told the Herald that out-of-control, or roaming, dogs were an issue in the first instance for councils, which had powers under the Dog Control Act, or the Minister for Local Government (currently Simon Watts). 'However, I acknowledge that, as minister responsible for animal welfare, I have often been speaking to animal welfare community groups, or rescue organisations, who have let me know about what they see as a growing number of dogs, which is putting pressure on people's ability to look after them and keep them under control. 'It is something I intend to speak [about] with the Minister for Local Government.' Where animal welfare issues were identified, enforcement agencies would respond accordingly, Hoggard said. Top tips to avoid dog bites Never approach a dog that is alone Always ask, 'May I pat your dog?' Do not run towards a dog and don't bark or growl at them Never run from a dog Don't pat the head or chest Never leave children or toddlers unattended near dogs You must be confident of calling a dog back before letting it off a lead 'Stand like a tree' around loose dogs Teach family members how to behave around a dog - don't let a child poke or prod them or try sitting on them.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
WW2 evacuees speak about their experiences ahead of VE Day
World War Two evacuees have told BBC South West about their experiences ahead of the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in Hoskin, 94, said she had vivid memories of the day she and her school friends were evacuated from Plymouth and boarded a train to said she liked her new life near Redruth and visited a farm for the first time and "didn't want to go home".On 8 May 1945, at exactly 15:00 BST, British PM Winston Churchill announced the end of the war in Europe. 'Lovely couple' Ms Hoskin said: "You didn't want to go [on the train] because you were leaving your parents."Then we were told x number of children from your class would be going so we thought oh lovely, we are all going on holiday together," she added. Ms Hoskin's new home was Lanner."I was with a lovely couple, they had no children but they had a niece the same age."I used to go up to a farm with them and that was the first time I had ever been to a farm." 'Quite hungry' She added many were homesick during the evacuation and host families were not always welcoming."We do know that children weren't given enough food," Ms Hoskin explained. "Some of them would come to school and be quite hungry."Quite a few only stayed a week or more and they went back home because they couldn't settle. "But I loved it. I didn't want to go home." However, not everywhere in Cornwall was safe from falling Liddicoat, 86, and from Plymouth, was evacuated twice, once from Plymouth and then from Falmouth."When we were in Falmouth we heard the planes coming over and we all had to go out into the garden where my Uncle Tom had built and air raid shelter," he said. "We all had to climb down into this pit until it all went over."They were trying to bomb the docks. "When that got a little serious, we were moved down to Mevagissey into a bit more of a quieter area."
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CN CONFRONTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Housing security for Cherokee citizens remains one of the highest priorities for the Cherokee Nation and its leaders, and a recent study is helping the tribe map a plan for the future. Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said a housing study for the region estimates a $1.75 billion housing deficit for Cherokee citizens in the region. Some of estimated measurements are based on existing programs with applicant demand that hasn't been met. Another part of the study revealed the housing market needs for low-income rental units. 'But all of it reinforces what everyone knows who lives in any community, including Tahlequah, that rents are very high,' Hoskin said. 'Rents are pushing people who are already economically at the margins further to the margins, and sometimes that means they have a financial collapse during a particular month.' Hoskin said housing troubles across the country are often due to the lack of quantity and quality of housing options. A deficit has built up over long periods of time, he said, and he feels no single government is responsible for the overall housing troubles the U.S. is facing. Housing has long been an important issue for Hoskin and Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner. Their first major act after taking office in 2019 was the Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act, which focused on addressing the issue through legislation investing $30 million mostly into housing rehab for elders and those with disabilities, Hoskin said. 'The second phase of the Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act was $120 million,' Hoskin said. 'We are nearly done with that $120 million investment and that's the reason there is a new housing addition here in Tahlequah.' Twenty-four houses have been built in the new Galitsode subdivision near Cedar and Allen roads, and a recent grant for $500,000 will fund two more homes in that development. 'That housing addition is one of several we've built and that is primarily to address those who are on an existing waiting list for new home construction,' Hoskin said. Other Cherokee citizens who own land have applied for the same program, and these multimillion-dollar initiatives through the tribe are serving them as well, Hoskin said. The most recent expansion of the tribe's Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act injects at least $40 million into housing every three years into perpetuity. 'That's $40 million every three years in cycles, so after three years we will do another $40 million,' Hoskin said. 'And the idea is we can't possibly write a check tomorrow to create $1.75 billion worth of homes to fill the estimated deficit.' But over time, he said, the Nation can commit to using its revenue to supplement a paltry amount of federal Indian housing programs. 'The idea is we should be on a path where we can plan for housing and not be erratic in terms of a lot of dollars under this administration, fewer under that administration, but try to be consistent,' Hoskin said. Those that lead the Housing Authority need to plan, and when considering Tahlequah, the Cherokee Nation can see that not only is there a need for home ownership, but also a need for low-income rental units. 'That seems to be a bigger need in the community,' Hoskin said. Citizens can buy homes through a lease-to-own program, Cherokee Nation New Home Construction Program, which started under former Principal Chief Bill John Baker. 'People are moving into those homes for about $600 a month, and over 30 years, that payment will stay at $600,' Hoskin said. 'That includes insurance, and it includes taxes, because even though there are no property taxes there is an opportunity for the local school to get federal impact aid, so there is a backfill of dollars to the school based on the occupancy of that housing addition.' He said the policy was designed to encourage investment into low-income housing, which dates back over 60 years. After 30 years the homeowner will have a home with equity, but they will have paid far less than what that home would cost on the open market, Hoskin said. Though it is rent-to-own, the owner gets a subsidized path to owning the home, Hoskin said. 'It's cheaper than rent. They are buying it for much less to encourage homeownership,' Hoskin said. 'The idea is that investment is worth sort of our collective need to improve housing conditions. The thing that concerns me most is we need to shift a bit toward low-income rental units.' The Birdtail Addition in Tahlequah has also recently been updated, with the previous housing units being replaced with new homes, Hoskin said. 'We've also got 14 homes going into the Autumn Woods Addition near Grand View School,' Hoskin said. The Nation is finalizing an agreement with Tahlequah Habitat For Humanity, with the development of Autumn Woods where some properties are set aside for this organization. 'We are looking for partners and THFH seems to be a very logical partner for this sort of effort for low-income housing,' Hoskin said. 'Homes for Cherokee citizens means homes for Tahlequah citizens and any housing stock we add just adds to the mix.'
